“When the Red Sox won (the World Series) and put the trophy right there (at the finish line), I said I want to win it as a runner for Boston,” Keflezighi said. “I was going to give it everything that I had for the people (of Boston) and I have the four victims on my bib number.”

Keflezighi, referring to the names of the four people killed in the 2013 attacks he had scrolled on his race bib, had finished his race and was a spectator last year when twin explosions rocked Boylston Street. He says this year he was motivated by a higher sense of meaning.

“They helped me carry through,” he said of the victims of the bombings.

Keflezighi says he was able to feed off the crowd’s energy as they chanted “U.S.A., U.S.A.” for much of the race, and especially the last three miles.

“At the end, I just kept thinking, ‘Boston Strong. Boston Strong,'” he said. “I gave everything I had for Boston.”

At the post-race news conference, Keflezighi revealed that he raised $10,000 for the Martin Richard Foundation.

“Martin was beyond his age,” he said. “His foundation, and efforts… his legacy will live on for a long time.”